Strolling through the market, Yang Yu moved around various stalls just like he would during a typical market day, trying to momentarily set aside his thoughts and maintain a childlike heart, enjoying the precious leisure time.

Most people in Serti, like most people in the world, just want to live carefree in this world.

As long as the world stays peaceful, wrongdoers are punished, and efforts are rewarded, they would show goodwill to others.

Piece by piece, goodwill gathers to create a better world.

Yang Yu didn't know what Serti's current king was like, but the prosperity of Serti was certainly not an illusion.

During his date with Bai Jin, Yang Yu received considerable attention from many vendors, enjoying numerous discounts at the lover's rate.

Even though Yang Yu knew that phrases like "lover's ten percent discount" were mainly to attract potential customers, seeing the boss's honest smile still warmed his heart.

Of course, the world is simple yet complex. Where there are good people, there are naturally unreasonable bad people.

Encountering such people, usually before Yang Yu could act tough, a group of kind-hearted people would step forward to expel them.

Perhaps there were dark presences Yang Yu couldn't see, but overall, Serti's royal capital was quite nice.

Yang Yu believed that besides Serti's royal capital, there were many such cities.

Unfortunately, even though good people were in the majority, even a small number of evildoers wreaking havoc could deeply hurt most good people.

When evil spreads like a plague and people become accustomed to certain things, the definition of kindness in their hearts will change.

In the past, many people considered robbery a crime, but once evil spreads, many might view leaving someone alive as the greatest kindness.

The invasion of the Demon King is terrifying, but even more frightening is the backstab from one's kin.

Yang Yu feared more that someone might give up the resistance too early rather than endure the hard struggle.

The countries were very proactive upon seeing him, indicating that they still wished to actively resist the Demon King's attack.

Yang Yu still seemed too insignificant compared to this world, and he couldn't manage everything simultaneously.

He knew that the world's direction was not solely up to him.

History is determined by countless people in the world together.

Refreshing the task interface, Yang Yu's system panel didn't display any new tasks.

Even though he planned to steal some leisure time with Bai Jin, he was unconsciously distracted by various matters.

"Yang Yu, ah—" Bai Jin cooled the fish ball snack sold in Serti and brought it to Yang Yu's mouth.

Yang Yu acted like a mature boyfriend, casually accepting the fish ball Bai Jin offered and loudly praised while chewing.

Bai Jin smiled, used magic to fold the paper box with the fish balls, and threw it into a nearby trash can, then said:

"Yang Yu, should we head back now?"

"What's the matter? Don't you like such bustling places?" Yang Yu tilted his head to look at Bai Jin.

Bai Jin shook her head, "You invited me, which makes me happy.

It's a rare date, and I wanted to do more things like lovers do.

But yet... I feel like now is not a good time.

Though I haven't shown it much, you are still worried about the Demon Clan's movements, aren't you?

As long as the Demon King can be defeated...

By this day next year, we surely will have a carefree date, doing whatever we want."

"Next year..." Yang Yu murmured to himself.

Looking again at the tranquil sky, Yang Yu slightly closed his eyes and squinted them into a line.

Bai Jin could noticeably feel the atmosphere suddenly change, as a cold wind blew across her back.

"I wonder, Bai Jin," Yang Yu suddenly spoke, "if I died or left this world, what would you do..."

Amidst the surrounding clamor, Bai Jin felt a deep silence.

Actually, Bai Jin had not forgotten the day they started dating, nor the words Yang Yu had once said to her.

Originally thinking that Yang Yu had thoroughly understood at that time, but now clearly showing that he's still considering...

"'Precisely because we don't know when we'll die, we ought to leave no regrets while alive.'

At that time, you said this to me.

Therefore, you chose to accept me at that time.

We have officially become lovers. Even though, during this year, we have scarcely done things like couples do, as long as you're not tired of me, I'll never leave your side.

You are my hard-won happiness.

I am ready to face death. If someone wants your life, I'll be the first to step forward, fighting even with my last breath to protect you.

Also, don't say things like me protecting you first.

If we count on all our comrades, you should be able to accomplish a lot more, right?

This world has not just us, but countless people.

They need saving too.

If you don't want us to die, then just like before, muster up courage.

Tell me you will definitely defeat the Demon King, and next year you'll play this and that with me without worry.

In the future...

Even if it means giving birth to countless children for you, I'm willing.

No matter if at that time you decide to leave, I'll absolutely raise those kids to adulthood!"

Yang Yu showed a wry smile: "Don't make me out to be that bad.

How could I possibly do such a thing as just walking away?

But you.

Already planning ahead to having kids.

Normally, isn't discussing marriage first more appropriate?

I may not necessarily marry you."

Half-jokingly, Yang Yu uttered this line, and before saying anything more, it seemed to him something in Bai Jin shattered the instant he heard it.

Bai Jin hunched her shoulders, her body slightly trembling as she lowered her head, casting a shadow with her bangs, followed by an eerie "hehe" sound:

"Hehehe! I knew it, between us, it was all just a game! 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

From the start, you never treated me as a genuine beloved but merely desired my body.

Thinking back to those nights, the way you poured your beastly desires onto my tiny body, I knew it was like this.

Indeed, men aren't trustworthy.

Recklessly playing with a girl's feelings!

Curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you... (x∞)"

Yang Yu smacked his forehead hard; he was only trying to avoid the "after I finished this battle, I'll come home and marry you" kind of death flag, as there are barely any who survive such declarations before the war, and he never said he didn't want to marry and have children with you.

Having decided to avoid this death flag, at this point, Yang Yu couldn't possibly say something like "After this battle, I'll go home with you and get married."

Seeing Bai Jin's increasingly somber look, Yang Yu felt if left unattended, Bai Jin would definitely turn dark.

Finally, Yang Yu could only gently call out to Bai Jin:

"Bai Jin..."

Upon hearing Yang Yu call her name, Bai Jin was about to angrily glare at Yang Yu, releasing her fury, but unexpectedly, as she turned her head, Yang Yu leaned in and resolved the matter in the simplest and most straightforward way.